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Tag: agents

I haven’t officially joined this whole Insecure Writers thing, but I thought I’d throw in my two cents anyway. I have seven agents reading Peter, which is nerve wracking in and of itself, but I’m mostly insecure about my ability to keep up with this site. I really, really want to finish “Hamlette” for all the readers who have been enjoying it, but my chief priority is to finish Changers before DFW Con . . . And I have production meetings for the scripts (via Skype and Google Hangouts, which means I have to put clothes on and brush my hair) . . . Ack! I’m approaching meltdown.

It doesn’t help that we’re in the last couple weeks of school. There are a ton of activities and things to get done, and then the kids will be home and my ability to write in peace will be stunted.

Yeah, I feel like I’m juggling and struggling to keep all the balls in the air.

I know I can do it, though. I know if I just breathe and focus, take each day as it comes, all will be well. It’s just so easy to get caught in the whirlwind—or make your own whirlwind as you turn circles.

I am still around, promise, and I hope to have another “Hamlette” at some point next week. Changers consumes all my writing time these days; I’ve just discovered I need to massively rewrite the last eight pages because it went in a direction that didn’t fit the world as I’ve built it. Shame, too, because it was a lovely piece. I tried to work it every which way to see if I could make the world fit the sudden turn that had cropped up, but no, too complicated. So the turn must be removed.

Meanwhile, I had a good week with Peter. It’s now out with seven agents, and I hope to hear something from someone soon. Of course, “soon” is relative; agents are busy, often have stacks of manuscripts to read (never mind their actual clients’ work). Three to six months is average, and I’ve heard some writers say it was more like nine months to a year before they ever heard back. I’ve been querying Peter for a little less than a year, and this revision only since February. I know I should be patient, but it’s hard! I had thought I would self-publish in June, but with new interest in the manuscript, unless all of them come back with a “no,” I’ll hold off until fall.

Okay, here’s a story about a query. I’d submitted to an agent (we’ll call her Agent A) and eventually been rejected. After looking at the agency’s Web site and seeing nothing about not querying other agents if one passes, I submitted my query to another agent (Agent B). Only to get a response from Agent A saying, “Sure, we’d love to take a look.”

Um, okay, but . . . You’ve already taken a look. Did the query not ring any bells for you at all? Where is Agent B?

Of course, I didn’t answer exactly that way, but I also didn’t resubmit my manuscript. Instead I gently reminded Agent A that she had read it, and told her I’d hate to waste her time if she didn’t want to give it another look. (Though I also pointed out the manuscript has been through a major rewrite since she saw it. It was a rewrite I had offered her before and never heard back on, so . . .)

So far there has been no response. I mean, my rule of thumb is: If the agency’s site doesn’t specifically say that a pass from one agent is a pass from all/the agency, then it’s fair to submit to another agent at that agency. But maybe I’m wrong? Or at least in this case I might be? It is a pretty small agency, so maybe it’s a matter of size. But I do wish agencies would make their processes more transparent. Not because I think they’re hiding something—some alchemical secret they use to determine whether to sign someone—but because it would make it easier for the writers to do things in a way that complements rather than complicates those processes.

There are ups, and there are downs. March was a decent month, and April started out promising as well (despite pneumonia), but now I’ve hit a two-week slump filled with nothing but rejections. It’s looking like I may end up self-publishing Peter as per the original plan. It’s so frustrating, though, having been told by two editors at major publishers that my book sounds like something they’d like to see. “Get an agent to send it to me,” they say. And then the agents all say the book is “well written” and “intriguing” but won’t take it on.

Tomorrow I’ll be at the Tri-Valley Writers Conference. Maybe being around other writers will innervate me, spur me on. But right now it’s difficult to imagine. I keep chipping away at Changers in the meantime. Though days like today, filled with ever more rejection, make me wonder why I bother.

Holidays mean I won’t hear anything. Not from agents, not from producers—everything goes silent. And I’m supposed to enjoy that, spend time with my family or whatever, but I’m the impatient type. I’ll need to find something really diverting to do this weekend, something above and beyond the usual egg hunts.

Speaking of hunts, I’ve been looking for an agent for Peter, but . . . I think I’m running out of options. It’s a bit disheartening how many agents on places like the Manuscript Wish List want YA. So few seem to want adult books, and then if they do want adult books, they don’t want the kind I’ve written. People don’t read that kind of stuff any more, I guess. Or too few people do, anyway, not enough for an agent or publisher to make any money. I’m feeling a bit discouraged.

I suppose I should be glad, at least, that the book I’m writing now is YA. I’ve sort of stalled out on it, though, what with being sick and then having all these screenwriting projects. Maybe I’ll get back to it next week. Or maybe never. Some days I think I won’t bother finishing.

Seriously, though, happy Good Friday to those who observe, and happy Passover as well. I hope you all have lovely weekends.

I seem to have a lot of irons in the fire at the moment. I’ve got agents reading Peter—some have the original manuscript, and some have the revised version. It’s tough having to wait to hear anything back . . . All communication seems to have dried up in the last week or so. (Maybe they’re all basketball fans?)

In the meantime, to keep myself busy, I’ve started poking at Changers again. It’s about 40% done. I do still like the story and hope to finish the draft relatively soon.

But I have a more pressing deadline: a film treatment due this Friday. I’ve started on it and submitted it to my writing partners for feedback. We’ll see what they have to say, but they’d better say it soon if it’s going to get done on time!

And we’re still in negotiations for the rom-com, waiting to hear from the attorney on that. Lots of waiting going on, really, which isn’t something I’m good at. I feel like this is all a cosmic lesson in patience.

Now and then, I do also hope to continue posting Hamlette, since it gets a lot of hits here on the site. Maybe that will turn into another YA novel?

Well then, time to start hammering away. Here’s hoping at least one of these irons can be pounded into a work of art.

I’d been working with a literary agent on the Peter manuscript. Since last October, we’d been going back and forth over how to make the story stronger. On 28 February, I emailed him and said the first part of the book—the part this agent felt needed the most work—had been entirely rewritten. Should I send it along? He answered me this past Monday by announcing he’s “leaving agenting.” This week.

Sigh.

All that work . . . And I do believe I have a stronger manuscript now, but still, it’s quite the blow. The agent gave me the name and email of the person at the agency who handles queries, told me to let this guy know the soon-to-be-ex agent had been keen on the manuscript, see if any other agents want to pick it up. Would have been nicer if he’d just recommended another agent directly, but . . . He doesn’t owe me anything. He was being kind in giving me as much of his time and energy as he did.

So, really, I am trying to keep the faith and all that. But I haven’t heard back from the guy who handles queries, and I’m afraid I never will. Back to square one then.

I’ve also received three rejections within the week. But on the flip side, I’ve had one full request and three partial requests. So maybe something will pan out.

Things are looking more promising on the screenwriting side. We’re near a deal for the rom-com script, and I’m working with two other guys on a very cool new project. And my Sherlock spec is a finalist in a competition. Fingers crossed! At this point I’d be happy for any kind of win on any front. I just need a boost.

No, that’s not exactly true. I’m having a big dipper of a week with lots of downs and then a few ups and then more downs.

On the one hand, bad news (twice over) about one of my scripts. It’s receiving great coverage but can’t get anyone interested. Hrm.

And then, too, a pass from a literary agent who said she really likes Peter but can’t sell it because the first part was self-published as a novella. Well, I’m fixing that with this revision. The first part of the novel is now far different from what was self-published. And the agent did agree to read the revised manuscript when I finish it, so there’s a bit of hope there.

The real high points of the week have had nothing to do with my work. Date night last night was great, though: We went to Bluestem Brasserie and had one of the best meals I think I’ve ever eaten (Boozy Malt FTW), then saw Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink over at the American Conservatory Theater. Fabulous food + phenomenal play = great night out.

Classed under “middling,” a co-writer and I received some anticipated paperwork regarding our romantic comedy script. I’d be more excited, but the attorney has it, and there’s nothing all that exciting about attorneys. (Sorry, Chuck! I know you’re doing a great job!)

Well, and it’s only Wednesday. We’ll see how the rest of the week plays out. January is giving me whiplash; maybe February will be kinder.

I had a somewhat better week than the past couple. No outright rejections this week, though I also have not had that magical offer I’m seeking. But! There has been progress on a number of fronts.

1. The agent who favorited my #pitmad tweet from last week requested my full manuscript.

2. There was a similar exercise on Twitter called #PitchMAS, and even though I hadn’t planned to be pitching, I got a couple more partial requests from it.

3. A producer requested to read 20 August.

4. I applied for an unpaid internship with a literary agent—I think it would be a great learning experience, and also a lot of fun—and she’s sent me a manuscript to evaluate as part of her screening process. Hey, even if I don’t get the job, it’s nice to be considered. And I’m enjoying the feeling of having options. Of not being stuck with just one project or outlet or possible path to . . . Wherever I’m headed.

Of course all this means I’m a tad behind on my word count for Changers. But it’s very exciting to be in demand.

As for submission stats for the week, well, I received 4 rejections, 1 request, and continued some e-mail correspondence with one agent who has been giving me great (read: useful) feedback on making the manuscript a bit stronger. Progress.

#PitMad is coming on Thursday, too, over on Twitter. So fellow writers looking for agents should plan to participate. Rules can be found here.